Structure for restricting the movement of the hand and forearm



March 1955 L. M. EMERT STRUCTURE FOR RESTRICTING THE MOVEMENT OF THEHAND AND F OREARM Filed Feb. 10, 1954 INVENTOR Laur noe M Efizerb,deceased.

Chloe G. Elrrerb,adl11jlzs'brabrlkt BY A'I'TORNEYIS United States PatentC STRUCTURE FOR RESTRICTING THE MOVEMENT OF THE HAND AND FOREARMLaurence M. Emert, deceased, late of Knoxville, Tenn., by Chloe G.Emert, administratrix, Knoxville, Tenn.

Application February 10, 1954, Serial No. 409,432

8 Claims. (Cl. 128-133) This invention relates to an improved structurede signed to restrict the bending of the arms of infants or children toprevent and correct undesirable habits such as thumb and finger sucking,nail biting, and so forth. The structure is designed to so restrict thebending of the arm at the elbow that the wearer is unable to touch hisperson. The structure may thus be utilized to prevent scratching in thecase of eruptive skin diseases or other skin irritations.

The invention embodies numerous improvements over prior structures. Iteliminates the deficiencies in such structures and provides acomfortable and readily adjustable restraining device to which thewearer becomes rapidly accustomed.

The present invention comprises broadly a pair of spaced, aligned loopsor rings, the upper of which is of enlarged diameter to fit over theupper arm and the lower of which is of more restricted diameter to fitthe wrist. These two rings are joined by paired, longitudinal rods orbars which are adjustably united at their extremities by suitableclamping means. The smaller of the two rings may be opened and closed tovary its diameter by means of a rectangularly disposed catch structureextending between its two longitudinal support bars. With the catch indisengaged position the smaller ring is of enlarged diameter to permitready passage of the hand therethrough. The larger ring is designed tobe fitted over the center of the upper arm, the smaller ring beingdesigned to fit closely the wrist of the wearer when the catch structureis closed. The longitudinal connecting bars between the rings act as arestrictor across the inner surface of the elbow joint to limit angularbending of the joint and prevent inward movement of the hand of thewearer.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is an inverted perspective view of the improved restrictingstructure showing the wristring in closed condition with the catchthereof engaged about the opposed longitudinal bar;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the restraining structure in properposition on the arm of a subject to limit angular movement of theforearm at the elbow;

Fig. 3 is an inverted, fragmentary perspective view of the small orwrist ring extremity of the structure with the wrist ring in full openposition with its catch structure disengaged;

Fig. 4 is an inverted end view of the restraining structure taken fromthe small or wrist end thereof and with the wrist ring catch engaged;

Fig. 5 is an inverted side view of the restraining structure with thewrist ring catch engaged;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of a clamp for adjustably uniting the bars of the structure,taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 7, comprising two longitudinally groovedplates joined by a bolt and wing nut and Fig. 7 is an invertedfragmentary side view, partially in phantom, of the alternative clampstructure with the upper and lower plates fitted over the bars of thestructure and held in clamped position by a .bolt and wing nut.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, 10 indicates the restrainingstructure broadly. The structure comprises enlarged upper ring 11 andsmaller wrist ring 12 which are formed integral with longitudinal braceor bar members 13-14 and -16. The structure is preferably formed ofheavy Monel wire and is appropriately bent 2,703,082 Patented Mar. 1,1955 more detail.

As is shown in Fig. 5, wrist ring 12 preferably extends upwardly atright angles to its two longitudinally extending parallel bars 13 and 14and enlarged upper arm ring 11 preferably lies at an obtuse angle to itsparallel bars 15 and 16. The free extremities of parallel bars 13-14 and15-16 are preferably adjustably united by means of a flattened clampmember 17 which consists of a plate 18 which carries at its lateralextremities rolledover cylindrical clamping sections 19 and 20.Cylindrical clamping sections 19 and 20 are preferably formed by turningover the lateral edges of plate 18 to provide continuous cylindricalrecesses extending along the lateral edges of plate, 18 to receive theextremities of bars 13-14 and 15-16. The distance between wrist ring 12and upper arm ring 11 may be adjusted by adjusting the positions of theextremities of bars 13-14 and 15-16 within cylindrical recesses 19 and20 and then crimping the upper surfaces thereof downwardly against thebars. The structure is readily adapted to arms of varying lengths bythus adjusting the distance between wrist ring 12 and upper arm ring 11.The length of clamp 17 may be varied at will, as may the length of bars13-14 and 15-16 to make the structure longitudinally adjustable within awide range.

An alternative embodiment of this clamp structure is shown in Figs. 6and 7. In this embodiment two separable plates 30 and 31 are utilized,joined at their bored centers by a bolt 32 and wing nut 33 so as to bereadily separable. Plates 30 and 31 are provided along their lateraledges with parallel, longitudinal grooves 34-35 and 36-37 which extendthe length of the plates and are designed to receive the extremities ofbars 13-14 and 15-16. By loosening wing nut 33 on bolt 32 plates 30 and31 may be separated to adjust the positions of the extremities of bars13-14 and 15-16 in the grooves to vary the length of the structure.

Referring to wrist ring 12, which preferably extends upwardly at a rightangle to its parallel bar extensions 13 and 14, it will be noted thatring 12 is provided at its lateral extremities with inwardly extending,U-shaped loops 21 and 22 which are provided therein, at opposite sidesof its periphery to provide bracing for ring 12 on the wrist to maintainthe entire restraining structure in proper position above the arm andelbow joint, as shown in Fig. 2. Loops 21 and 22 have the furtherfunction of permitting reduction or enlargement in circumference of ring12 by closing or opening them. The functioning of these loops will bediscussed in more detail further on in the specification.

Catch member 24 is disposed inwardly of wrist loop 12 in longitudinalbar 13 and is formed therein by appropriately bending a segment of bar13 at right angles to itself in a horizontal plane to provide parallel,rectangularly disposed catch arms 25 and 26 which are appropriately bentinwardly at their extremity to provide U-shaped catch 27. The opposedsection of bar 14 is preferably rectangularly bent upwardly into catchsection 28, opposed to catch 24, and of the same width as catch 24, toreceive turned down section 27 thereof. The function of catch section 28in bar 14 will be discussed at more length later in this specification.

The improved restraining structure is preferably utilized as follows.With catch 24 of wrist ring 12 disengaged from catch section 28 of bar14 and with wrist ring 12 in full open position, as shown in Fig. 3, thestructure is turned into the position shown in Fig. 2, with rings 11 and12 extending downwardly, and the hand is inserted through enlarged upperring 11 and outwardly through wrist ring 12, upper ring 11 lying, asshown in Fig. 2, about the middle of the upper arm. With upper arm ring11 in this position brace bars 13-14 and 15-16, joined by clamp 17, aredisposed above the elbow joint in a position parallel to the arm. Withwrist ring 12 in appropriate position about the wrist of the subject andwith lateral loops 21 and 22 lying parallel to the inner and outer facesof the Wrist, bars 13 and 14 are brought together with the fingers,sliding catch 24 and its curved extremity 27 under raised catch section28 of bar 14, where extremity 27 registers to hold the wrist ring 12 inclose bearing contact about the wrist of the subject. Peripheral loops21 and 22 bear against the inner and outer surfaces of the wrist and actto maintain the entire structure immovably in proper position at thewrist of the subject, as shown in Fig. 2. Wrist ring 12 is designed tofit the wrist closely yet has some freedom for longitudinal slidingthereon, projections 21 and 22 fitting the inner and outer surfaces ofthe wrist closely and maintaining wrist ring 12 in the proper uprightposition on the wrist of the subject. Enlarged ring 11, which fits overthe middle of the upper arm, above the muscle, is of such diameter as topermit some sliding movement of this ring on the upper arm.

With the restraining structure thus clamped in the position, as shown inFig. 2, over the elbow joint of the arm, angular movement of the forearmand wrist with respect to the upper arm above the elbow is drasticallyrestricted, limiting the angular movement at the elbow to a relativelysmall angle and making it impossible for the subject to move his handinto proximity with his face or mouth. The restriction provided by thedevice also prevents the subject from scratching his body.

The proper position of catch 24 when in closed position is directly inline with the index finger of the hand. When the structure is in theprescribed position restraint on angular movement of the forearm at theelbow is gentle, yet extremely effective.

The diameter of wrist loop 12 may be regulated as desired by closing oropening lateral loops 21 and 22 thereof the desired amount. Thisadjustment may be made by means of pliers or in any other suitablefashion, bearing in mind that wrist loop 12 should fit the wrist of thesubject closely enough to maintain its proper vertical position thereon,yet not so closely as to interfere with the circulation through theveins at the wrist.

The diameter of upper arm loop 11 may be adjusted by applying pressureinwardly or outwardly to bars 15 and 16 adjacent loop 12, above clamp17.

The length of the structure, i. e., the distance between wrist ring 12and upper arm ring 11 may be adjusted as desired by opening cylindricalhousings 19 and 20 of clamp 17, adjusting the extremities of bars 13-14and 15-16 therein until the desired distance between loops 12 and 11 isobtained and then crimping cylindrical housings 19 and 20 downwardlyover the extremities of bars 13-14 and 15-16 to maintain them rigidly indesired position.

When the two-plate embodiment of the clamp shown in Figs. 6 and 7 isused, adjustment of the extremities of bars 13-14 and 15-16 in the clampis made by loosening wing nut 33, separating plates 30 and 31 slightlyand sliding the bars to desired position in the clamp. Wing nut 33 isthen tightened until plates 30 and 31 bear tightly against the bars.

As will be seen 28 of bar 14- extends upwardly from bar 14 anappreciable distance and receives over its upper surface the curvedouter extremity 27 of catch 24. This upward extension of clampingsection 23 of bar 14 is provided to serve as a guide for catch 24 and tomaintain the curved extremity 27 of catch 24 clear of the wristtosprevent chafing or rubbing of the wrist. Further, by upwardlyextending clamping section 28 above bar 14 the fastening and unfasteningof catch 24 is greatly facilitated as catch 24 and its curved extremity27 readily slide under clamping section 28 which is raised above theplane of catch 24.

For most subjects it will be necessary to apply one of the restrainingstructures to each arm to prevent access of either hand to the face ormouth or to irritated portions of the body.

The restraining structure may be made in any desired size, dependingupon the size of the arm of the subject. For most normal infant or childsubjects sufficient longitudinal adjustment is provided by clamp 17.

The same is true of the diameters of wrist ring 12 and upper arm ring11, the diameter of wrist ring 12 being adjustable by peripheral loops21 and 22 and that of upper ring 11 being adjustable at bars 15 and 16.If desired, the length of clamp 17 may be increased and the length ofbars 13-14 and 15-16 correspondingly increased.

The structure may be made readily adjustable in length by substitutingfor clamp 17 the two parallel, grooved clamping plates 30 and 31, joinedby bolt 32 and wing nut 33.

from the drawings, clamping section The invention is susceptible ofnumerous analagous embodiments without departing from the spiritthereof.

Attention is directed to the appended claims for a limitation of thescope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a restraining structure for an arm, a wrist ring rectangularlydisposed to and integral with paired longitudinal bars, an enlargedupper arm ring disposed at an obtuse angle to and integral with acorresponding pair of longitudinal bars, clamping means adjustablyjoining the extremities of said bars to maintain said rings in desiredopposed position whereby the angular movement of the forearm withrespect to the upper arm may be restricted by applying said structureover the arm.

2. In a restraining structure for an arm, a wrist ring rectangularlydisposed to and integral with paired longitudinal bars, catch meansextending inwardly from one of said bars and removably engaging theother of said bars, an enlarged upper arm ring disposed at an obtuseangle to and integral with a corresponding pair of longi-. tudinal bars,clamping means adjustably joining the extremities of said bars tomaintain said rings in desierd opposed position whereby the angularmovement of the forearm with respect to the upper arm may be restrictedby applying said structure over the arm.

3. In a restraining structure for an arm, a wrist ring rectangularlydisposed to and integral with paired longitudinal bars, a rectangularlydisposed catch extending inwardly from one of said bars, a raisedclamping section on the other of said bars aligned with said catch andengaged thereby, an enlarged upper arm ring angularly disposed to andintegral with a corresponding pair of longitudinal bars, clamping meansadjustably joining the extremities of said bars to maintain said ringsin desired position whereby the angular movement of the forearm withrespect to the upper arm may be restricted by applying said structureover the arm.

4. In a restraining structure for an arm, a wrist ring rectangularlydisposed to and integral with paired longitudinal bars, a catchextending inwardly from one of said bars, a raised clamping section onthe other of said bars aligned with said catch and engaged thereby,loops at the opposite peripheral edges of said wrist ring lying inparallel vertical planes, an enlarged upper arm ring disposed at anangle to and integral with a corresponding pair of longitudinal bars,clamping means adjustably joining the extremities of said bars tomaintain said rings in desired opposed position whereby the angularmovement of the forearm with respect to the upper arm may be restrictedby applying said structure over the arm.

5. In a restraining structure for an arm, a wrist ring made integralwith and extending outwardly from parallel, paired bars, an upper armring made integral with and extending outwardly from a correspondingpair of parallel bars, clamp means adjustably uniting the innerextremities of said bars to maintain said rings in desired positionwhereby the angular movement of the forearm is restricted when saidstructure is applied to the arm.

6. In a restraining structure for an arm, an adjustable wrist ring madeintegral with and extending outwardly from parallel, paired bars, acatch extending inwardly from one of said bars and engaging the other ofsaid bars, an upper arm ring made integral with and extending outwardlyfrom a corresponding pair of parallel bars, separable clamp meansadjustably uniting the inner extremities of said bars to maintain saidrings in desired position whereby the angular movement of the forearm isrestricted when said structure is applied to the arm.

7. In a restraining structure for an arm, a restricted wrist ring madeintegral with and extending outwardly from parallel, paired bars, anenlarged upper arm ring made integral with and extending outwardly froma corresponding pair of parallel bars, a clamp adjustably uniting theinner extremities of said bars to maintain said rings in desired opposedposition whereby the angular movement of the forearm is restricted whensaid structure is applied to the arm.

8. In a restraining structure for an arm, a restricted wrist ring madeintegral with-and extending at a right angle from parallel, paired bars,an enlarged upper arm ring made integral with and extending at an obtuseangle 5 6 from)? correspontdhing pair of parallel bars, a glaglp ad-References Cited in the file of this patent justa y uniting e innerextremities of sai ars to maintain said rings in desired opposedposition whereby UNITED STATES PATENTS the angular movement of theforearm is restricted when 853,410 Huebner May 14, 1907 said structureis applied to the arm. 5 1,926,690 Stewart Sept. 12, 1933 OTHERREFERENCES De Puy Manufacturing Co. Catalog No. 16, October 1937, page21. Copy in Div. 55.

